1. Early Challenges
Chapter 8, Lesson 2

2. Early Challenges
The Whiskey Rebellion - Rebellion that occurred in western Pennsylvania due to the tax on Whiskey.
Most farmers west did not have money and bartered (traded goods) to get whatever they needed and had no idea how they would pay this.
The resistance was peacefully until 1794, when federal officers stepped up to collect the tax and they attacked with swords, guns, and pitchforks, as well as burning a few buildings along the way.
Washington spoke with his advisors and came to the decision that to crush the rebellion
Washington served notice to those who opposed Government action and stopped them as soon as the army crossed the Appalachian Mountains.
He stated that if people wanted to change the law, they had to do so peacefully and through constitutional means.
He also set the example that the government will use force if it has to in order to maintain social order.

3. Early Challenges
The new government faced issues with the Native Americans who denied that they had any authority over them.
The Natives often sided with the British and Spanish who happily agreed to support them to stop the Americans from settling the region out west.
Washington hoped with treaties done with the Native Americans that they would stop seeking support of Britain and Spain, but despite this settlers continued to move on to their land and fighting would soon break out.
Washington sent General Arthur St. Clair to restore order in the Northwest Territory but is badly beaten by Little Turtle, Chief of the Miami people.
The British still had forts in the area and wanted continued control of the profitable fur trade, urging the Native to take action against western American settlements.
Many believed an alliance with France could defeat the British, Spanish, and Natives.

4. Early Challenges
The Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794) – Washington sends Anthony Wayne (former Revolutionary War general) with an army defeating 1,000 Natives led by Shawnee chief Blue Jacket.
The Natives hopes of keeping their land were crushed.
Treaty of Greenville (1795) – Agreement that the Natives would surrender most of the land in present-day Ohio
The French Revolution (1789) – Most American were happy to hear France was also taking a stand against tyranny, however…
By 1793, it became super bloody, with the execution of the king and queen of France along with thousands of French citizens.
Americans were divided with the opinion of the war.
When Britain and France go to war in 1793, the south favored a British win since they conducted business with them.
Jefferson was pro-French, thinking it would free up the west. From British control.

5. Early Challenges
Washington hoped that the nation could maintain its neutrality (taking neither side in a conflict)
In April of 1793, the French send Edmond Genêt (zhuh-nay) to the United States in hopes of recruiting American volunteers to attack the British.
Washington issued a Proclamation of Neutrality on April 22, prohibiting American citizens from fighting in the war as well as blocking British and French ships from American ports.
Though Genêt’s plan failed for the most part, he recruited around a few hundred to serve on French ships that would steal cargo from British Vessels.
The British in turned would stop American merchant ships and forced them to join the British navy, a practice known as impressment (taking men into a navy by force and with or without notice)

6. Early Challenges
These British actions were pushing Americans into another War with Britain that Washington would rather avoid.
He sends John Jay (Chief Justice of the Supreme Court) to negotiate with Britain.
British were willing to listen as carrying on a war with France AND the United States would be more difficult (The U.S. was also their best market too!)
Jay’s Treaty – The British agree to withdraw from American soil, pay for damaged American ships, allow for trade with the British colonies in the Caribbean, and settled debts from before 1776.
Few approved of Jay’s Treaty as it did not deal with the issue of impressment or their interference in American trade.
The Senate narrowly passed the treaty

7. Early Challenges
When the Spanish leaders realized that the United States and Great Britain could work together against their empire in North America.
Thomas Pinckney was sent to Spain to settle the differences between the two nations.
Pinckney’s Treaty (1795) - Gave American free navigation of the Mississippi River and the right to trade at New Orleans.
In September 1796, Washington announced he would not seek a third term in office setting a precedent of two terms in office (that many presidents would then follow in tradition)
At 64, Washington had a variety of ailments, and look forward to retirement in his home at Mount Vernon.

8. Early Challenges
He felt troubled over the political division occurring in the country, especially with the growth of political parties.
Washington’s “Farewell Address” was published in a Philadelphia newspaper, where he attacked the evils of political parties and entanglement in foreign affairs.
His words influenced the nation’s foreign policy for the next 100 years. (observe good faith and justice toward all nations… Tis our policy to steer clear of permanent alliances)
The text is still read aloud in the Senate each year on his birthday.